12 January, 2026, 9:20 am Central - 26°C Rain

Vancouver 7s: Fiji beats Kenya 31-12 in first game

Vancouver 7s: Fiji beats Kenya 31-12 in first game

By Mosese Raqio
04/03/2023
Photo:World Rugby

The Fiji Airways National Men’s 7s team kicked-off their Vancouver 7s tournament campaign on a high note with a 31-12 win over Kenya this morning.

Fiji had a scrappy start to the game with Kenya capitalizing on an error by Fiji to score the first try of the game in the 1st minute to take an early 5-0 lead.

Josese Batirerega replied with a try in the 3rd minute followed by a successful conversion to give Fiji a 7-5 lead.

Fiji extended their lead to 12-5 heading into half time with Anasa Qaranivalu touching down at the sound of the hooter with the conversion unsuccessful.

Indiscipline in defense by Fiji helped Kenya score their second try under the post early in the second spell to level the score at 12-12 with a successful conversion.

Batirerega scored his second try in the 12th minute, with a successful conversion from Waisea Nacuqu to give Fiji a 19-12 lead.

Super sub Jeremaia Matana scored two more tries in the 13th and 14th minute.

Fiji will play Uruguay in their second pool match at 2.16pm today, and will take on Great Britain at 8.42am tomorrow.

In another pool A match, Great Britain thrashed Uruguay 45-5.


Fiji
vs
Kenya

0-5
1st minute- Kenya scores their first try through Merwan Hamwa from a mistake by Fiji with the conversion unsuccesful. 
3rd minute- Fiji scores through Josese Batirerega from broken play, conversion succesful by Waisea Nacuqu. Fiji leads!
7-5

7th minute- Anasa Qaranivalu extends Fiji's lead with a try at the sound of the hooter. Conversion unsuccessful, Fiji leads 12-5 at half time.
12-5


Half Time


12-12
9th minute- Kenya levels the score with a try to Alvin Otieno with a successful conversion. Fiji 12-12 Kenya.
12th minute- Batirerega scores second try to extend Fiji's lead to 10-12 with a successful conversion. 
19-12

13th minute- Jerry Matana scores to put Fiji further. Coversion successful
26-12

14th minute- Matana puts the final nail to the coffin with his second try. Conversion unsuccessful, Fiji beats Kenya 31-12.
31-12




















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